. >> reporter: number five, the september 11 attack in benghazi injected foreign policy into the race. >> justice will be done. >> reporter: a week later, the campaign shifted again to the hidden cram ra video of romney's comments on the 47% and an instant obama attack ad. number four, among the year's biggest moments. >> there are 47% of him who are with him. >> reporter: the gop needed a breakout moment and got one at number three. the debates and president obama's lackluster performance in the first face-off put romney back in the hunt. the president would have to redeem himself and polls show that he did. >> i said if i got bin laden in our sights, i would take that shot. >> reporter: but at number two came the mother of october surprises. sandy. the devastating superstorm put much of the nation's focus on the president's handling of the crisis. and the high marks he received from a top romney surrogate, new jersey governor, chris christie. >> i can't thank the president enough for his personal concern and passion for our state. >> reporter: polls show the race moving towards the